10 Best Food Choices for COPD

When living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), nutrition should take high priority. People with COPD have higher calorie requirements due to the effort it takes to breathe — calorie usage of the muscles involved every time you take a breath could be 10 times greater for someone with the condition. You might not think calorie requirements merit concern if you’re overweight, but being overweight doesn’t mean you’re adequately nourished, says Amy Jamieson-Petonic, MEd, RD, a wellness coach at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and an American Dietetic Association spokeswoman. “We focus on improving a person’s nutrition first, and then we worry about weight loss," she says. That means eating enough high-fiber foods, quality protein, and even higher-fat choices.

Work in Whole Grains

Choose high-fiber foods made with whole grains, instead of refined carbohydrates such as white bread. “A high-carb diet may increase carbon dioxide production,” says Donald A. Mahler, MD, a pulmonologist in the pulmonary and critical care medicine section of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Because your lungs are tasked with exhaling carbon dioxide, the more carbs you eat, the more stress is on your lungs. So keep carbs to a minimum, but meet your COPD food needs with whole grains. Some great whole-grain options you may not be familiar with include bulgur, millet, and quinoa.

Got 2-Percent Milk?

Lower-fat milk offers protein, calcium, vitamin D, and some fat to meet the calorie requirements you need to get through the day. Jamieson-Petonic recommends a daily menu of about 3,300 calories for people with COPD, including about five servings of milk (not skim). Another way to get dairy is with a smoothie with full-fat yogurt and fruit; add a powdered supplement, like Carnation Instant Breakfast, and you’ve got an easy meal replacement.

Indulge in Some Healthy Fats

Even if you’re trying to lose weight or worrying about your heart in addition to your lungs, make sure you include healthy fats in your diet for COPD. Choose omega-3 fatty acids and poly- and mono-unsaturated fats instead of saturated (animal) fats or hydrogenated fats. Healthy fats are found in nuts, eggs, olive oil, avocados, and fatty coldwater fish like salmon. They’ll all help you reach your calorie requirements for COPD management.

Fill Up on Fruits and Vegetables

Whether flash-frozen or fresh, fruits and vegetables are a must for a healthy diet for COPD. These high-fiber foods also provide you with essential nutrients, such as a wide variety of vitamins, including vitamin A (which has been linked to improved COPD symptoms), minerals, and inflammation-fighting antioxidants. Even better, fruit rarely requires any exhausting prep work. If you have limited energy, buy vegetables that are pre-cut and easy to steam, or vegetables that simply have to be defrosted and reheated.

Start Counting on Beans

Beans, peas, and other legumes are high-fiber foods that also contain zinc, an essential mineral in a nutritious COPD diet. Research suggests that getting enough zinc might help improve COPD symptoms. The recommended daily intake of zinc is 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women; a half-cup of chickpeas contains 1.3 mg. Beans are also very affordable — the canned varieties are inexpensive, and dry beans are even cheaper. Canned options are good for convenience; just rinse them if you’re limiting your salt intake. Try making this delicious Cilantro Three-Bean Salad recipe for a triple punch of healthy beans.

Go Nuts for Healthy High-Calorie Foods

Some people with COPD may have a low body mass index (BMI), a sign of poor nutrition that puts them at greater risk for death. It’s important to eat enough every day to keep your weight in the normal range. You might need to focus more on high-calorie, healthy foods like nuts and nut butters, which are especially good if chewing is tiring. Creamy dressings and sauces are calorie-rich, but often have saturated fat. Work with a dietitian to find the right balance for your health needs.

Pack in Plenty of Lean Protein

Many people with COPD have a protein deficiency and may not even know it. A lack of protein can lead to losing muscle, or muscle wasting, as the body cannibalizes its own protein stores. Fish, chicken, eggs, nut butters, and dairy are all healthy, easy-to-fix sources of lean protein. You can also add protein powder to smoothies. Over the course of a day, you need about 1.5 grams of protein for each kilogram (2.2 lbs.) of body weight.

Don't Forget Your Vitamin D

There is some evidence that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to COPD and worse COPD symptoms. The body makes its own vitamin D from sunlight, but you may not be getting enough sun exposure to meet your needs. Choose foods that are supplemented with vitamin D (especially dairy products and packaged cereals) as well as fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna. You can also take a vitamin D supplement. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about how much vitamin D you need; a simple blood test can determine any deficiency.

Stay Hydrated With Water and Other Liquids

The breathing difficulties of COPD can leave you feeling dehydrated. Staying properly hydrated will help loosen phlegm, making it easier to cough up (which protects you from infection), and it will keep tissues throughout your body (especially your airways) more supple. Make sure you get enough fluids throughout the day. Water is an excellent option along with other healthy beverages, soups, and most fruits. Stay away from soda, which contains empty calories. Check out these ways to jazz up plain water.

Rethink Your Eating Habits With Small Meals

Don’t feel like you need to eat three large meals to meet your calorie requirements. In fact, says Dr. Mahler, some people with COPD feel that when they eat a big meal, the food in their stomach pushes up the diaphragm, making it harder for them to breathe. The answer is to spread out your high-calorie and high-fiber foods throughout the day. Aim for five small meals to get the nutrition you need without taxing your lungs.

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